Roque scores De Lima

PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque yesterday slammed Sen. Leila de Lima for accusing him of being a “truth-bender for hire.”

“We do not wish to dignify the rants of someone accused of a heinous crime involving drug trafficking,” Roque said in a statement.

De Lima is currently detained at the Philippine National Police custodial center in Camp Crame on drug charges.

Roque, a known human-rights lawyer, has handled high-profile cases such as the Maguindanao Massacre and the murder case of Jennifer Laude.

De Lima said Roque was “attempting to bend reality to his will,” deriding the Palace official as a great disappointment to the human rights movement.

Parrying de Lima’s attacks, Roque said the senator should focus on clearing her name instead of engaging in politics.

“We hope Senator Leila de Lima would just focus her time, energy and resources on her defense and in clearing her name before the court of law instead of engaging in partisan politics,” the Palace spokesman said, pointing out De Lima after all is “facing an uphill battle.”